The Tang Soo Do belt system in its progression from white to midnight blue/black represents the cycle of the seasons and the educational steps of learning. Each color stands for a specific stage of achievement. In this way we realise an essential concept of Korean philosophy, i.e., that which is born must grow and learn and reach maturity. In the World system, the white belt is the first year of school and the black belt is a graduate. Each belt level represents the following:

Beginner's belt color. White represents a primitive stage ready to learn and grow. It is the dormant stage of a new student.

Yellow represents the first stage in the journey the student has been introduced to the basic principles and movements of Tang Soo Do

Purple represents new growth, like the spring of the seasons. The student has new knowledge to grow and a sense of Tang Soo Do direction is developed.

Green represents the speedy development of youth as summer arrives, a sense of pride has come over the student.

Red represents power, stability, agility, weight and wisdom. The student begins to flower and bloom.

Midnight Blue (black belt) represents maturity, respect, & honor. It is the completion of a goal or one stage of life. It is a new pathway to higher ranks of black belt. Its going from secondary school to college to become a master. The mind is clear and calm. The body is a machine that can move and react in a split second.

The belt system is futher divided as follows:

Rank	Belt	Position
10th Gup	White	Beginner
9th Gup	Yellow	Beginner
8th Gup	Purple / One White Stripe	Novice
7th Gup	Purple / Two White Stripes	Novice
6th Gup	Green / One White Stripe	Intermediate
5th Gup	Green / Two White Stripes	Intermediate
4th Gup	Green / Three White Stripes	Intermediate
3rd Gup	Red / One White Stripe	Intermediate
2nd Gup	Red / Two White Stripes	Advanced
1st Gup	Red / Three White Stripes	Advanced
1st Dan	Navy Blue or Black/ One Gold or White Stripe	Bo Kyo Sa Nim Asst. Instructor